Warnings for New Year’s fireworks lawbreakers

A fireworks display. - File photo

WHILE there were incidents of people discharging fireworks without a permit outside the legal hours stipulated in the new regulations on New Year’s Day, Inspector Michelle Lewis of the TT Police Service says, this time, many of them got off with a warning.

Lewis pointed out The Summary Offences (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025 and the Summary Offences (Fireworks) Regulations 2025 (Legal Notice 466) were only proclaimed on December 19, so many were not yet familiar with the change.

The law states fireworks cannot be discharged without a permit issued by the commissioner of police, except on public holidays between 8 pm and 9 pm, and on December 31 between 11.30 pm and 12.30 am of January 1.

Lewis said, as far as she knew, there was a vast improvement over previous years in that the discharging of fireworks did not continue for hours after midnight into the new year.

“A large number of persons were compliant, but from the indication of some of the reports we did have pockets within various communities where persons did not fully comply. I know that the police officers were out and visited some of those communities. Persons took the approach where, instead of continuing with the fireworks, they cease and desist because if they didn’t, they could be charged.”

She said with every holiday, like Independence Day and Divali, people would become more aware of the laws and she believed they would comply even more.

“We have to sensitise people before we take a rigid approach.”

She said police and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) officers were patrolling residential areas throughout the country. And Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro was on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook, Port of Spain, on patrol at the turn of the year.

Earlier, he also conducted New Year’s Eve patrols at several shopping centres across country as part of the TTPS' heightened holiday security operations.

According to a post on the TTPS Facebook page, Guevarro joined his officers on duty, conducting foot patrols in the Southern Division at Gulf City Mall, C3 Shopping Centre, South Park Mall, and High Street, San Fernando.

He patrolled along the Chaguanas Main Road, visited Trincity Mall and East Gates Mall in the east, then Independence Square, Charlotte Street and the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

“Throughout the patrols, Commissioner Guevarro engaged with officers, vendors, business owners, and pedestrians, receiving real-time feedback from members of the communities served by the TTPS. The reassurance provided by the visible police presence was evident, with citizens expressing appreciation for the officers on patrol.”

Lewis added, “He set his target to work with the officers on the ground and visit communities, shoppers and businesses. He was also letting the officers know their senior officers and commander were out there as well. And the officers appreciated it, seeing him out there, bringing a level of camaraderie to the organisation.”